Lock switch coil



May 13, 1941- L o. PARKER LOCK SWITCH COIL Original Filed Aug. 3, 1935 IINVENTOR Les/Le 17 Parker:

Patented May 13, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK SWITCH COILLeslie 0. Parker, Anderson, Ind., assignor to General MotorsCorporation, Detroit, Mich., a. corporation of Delaware 7 Claims.

This invention pertains to theft preventing devices in and aboutautomotive vehicles, and is more particularly directed to that class ofignition equipment known as extension lockswitch coils, this applicationbeing a division of my copending application Serial No. 34,556, filedAugust 3, 1935, and now Patent 2,173,612.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an extensionlock-switch coil as a complete assembly that will aiford a maximum oftheftproof protection.

Another object is to provide a lock-switch and coil assembly adapted tobe mounted as a unit upon a support in non-separable relation, and thatmust be removed at least in part from its support before thecontributing sub-assemblies can be parted.

Another object is to provide a lock-switch and a coil for self-lockingengagement by sequential telescopic movement and partial relativerotation, whereby. an assembly is provided that is proof againstunauthorized separation.

Another object is to provide a lock-switch coil assembly that insuresagainst unauthorized tampering, yet lends itself to repair and/orservicing of the contributing parts by an authorized agent.

A more speciflc object is to provide an extension lock switch coilassembly for automotive use, in which a lock switch and ignition coilare each separately and rigidly mounted on relatively remote parts ofthe automotive vehicle, and a flexible armored electrical connectionjoins the switch and coil both mechanically and electrically andincludes a cover for cooperating with the coil to enclose the electricalconnections, with means provided by the coil and cover for securing thecover to the coil housing and requiring relative rotary movement betweenthe coil and cover to disengage them, said armor being of such lengththat, when the switch and coil are mounted in position upon theautomotive vehicle, the cable is substantially taut, thereby preventingrelative rotary movement between the coil and cover.

Still another object, among others, is to provide a lock-switch coilassembly that is proof against tampering or unauthorized use, yet isreadily separable into its component parts for service or replacement,by following a definite procedure.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanylngdrawing wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is essentially an elevational view, with certain parts shown insection, of the improved extension lock-switch ignition coil, and itsmethod of mounting by which the invention disclosed herein is perfected.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a modification with certain parts shownin section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view as indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an open view in perspective, showing details of one form ofcoil casing and lock-switch coupling.

Reference to the drawing will illustrate by what means the inventiondisclosed herein is perfected. At 5 is indicated a switch mechanismfitted with a lock barrel 6 responsive to an appropriate key 1 foractuating the switch device, and for securing the same in a desiredcircuit connection. It is customary to mount the lock switch upon asupport 8, conveniently accessible to the operator of the vehicle, whichin the illustrated embodiment may be the instrument panel. The switchdevice is provided with a circuit terminal 9, to which a source ofcurrent, for instance a battery, is usually connected. A flexiblearmored conduit I0 is non-demountably secured to the switch device, andencloses an electric insulated lead I I ending with a terminal clip l2,adapted to be connected to a terminal of a coil assembly. The lockswitch and armored cable assembly thus far described is adequatelydisclosed in U. S. Patent 1,983,096, granted Decemher 4, 1934, to L. 0.Parker, reference to which is here made for more complete disclosure ofthe details of construction.

The end of the armor remote from the lockswitch is non-demountablysecured to a coil cup or cover assembly l5, that is adapted for springlock or other securing connection to a coil assembly 25. The coil ismounted upon a support such as a motor block I6, by an appropriatebracket l1 and screws l8, and the flexible armor 10 extending betweenthe lock switch and the cover assembly is of a length to justconveniently reach between the two, such that there may be nosubstantial flexing or stretching of the armor to permit relativerotation or other designed movement between the cover assembly l5 andthe coil assembly 25 when the parts havebeen mounted in their operativerelation. That mounting relation is shown in Fig. 3. In the instance ofFigs. 1, 2 and 3, this installation includes passing the flexible armorI0 through an aperture in the bulk head or motor board [9, where theintermediate portion of the conduit is supported by a noiseless packingsuch as a grommet Zil. This installation is particularly desirable wherethe length of armor between the switch and coil is of substantiallength, in that the bulk head support at the intermediate portion of thearmor tends to prevent stretching or flexing of the armor, or otherlateral swinging movement incident to rotating the cover assembly on thecoil as mounted.

In Fig. 2 there is illustrated a modification of the coil mountingmeans, in that the bracket I! is secured by the screw devices i8 directlupon the bulk head it. The grommet 28 in this instance is adjusted aboutthe end of the armor IIJ adjacent to its connection with the coverassembly I5. For this mounting, the bulk head I9 is provided with anopening 2I, of sufiicient size to allow the passage of the largest partof the lock switch, and the grommet 20 being of yieldable orsubstantially live rubber, in the form of a disc or washer may bestretched over the lock and switch after that assembly is complete. Theaperture through the grommet is sufficiently small to closely and firmlyembrace the armor Iii, in its free state. When the grommet has been setin position, it forms an intermediate support for the armor, andprevents rattling between relatively loose parts.

As hereinabove described, the cover assembly I is secured to the coilassembly 25 by a spring lock or other securing device, responsive totelescopic movement of the two sub-assemblies.

While there is shown in detail, means for effecting an automatic lockretention of the parts upon completion of the uniting movement, theinvention comprehends also structures that are secured in coupledrelation by other means preventing reverse relative movement that mighteifect separation of the parts. The specific spring latch mechanism bywhich the coil and look assemblies are secured together is claimed inthe parent application of which this application is a division, and towhich reference is here made for the full description and operation. Itneed only be said, then, that the spring latch means of the completedassembly is so situated with respect to the unit in its mountedrelation, that the calized point of release is relativelynon-accessible, and may be actuated for parting of the assemblies onlyupon removal of the coil unit from its support. In the disclosedembodiment this localized point of connection or release is situated onthe back side of the coil at a point between the support and thejuncture of the armor It with the cover assembly I5 as indicated at R inFig. 3. The point of release, access to which must be had in order topart the contributing assemblies is therefore inconveniently accessible,since there is only a limited amount of space available for insertingthe proper tool, and hardly enough clearance for working the tool inorder to raise the latch of the locking device. By this, it is madeextremely difiicult for the would-be thief, or the unauthorized serviceagent to tamper with the device.

However, even should there be success upon inserting the tool at thepoint R, and even should the latch be successfully raised out of itsrecess, insufficient relative rotation could be accomplished between thecover assembly I5 and the coil assembly to permit parting of the unit,since the armor extended between the lock switch and the cover assemblyis already taut and cannot be flexed sufficiently to accomplish thedesired end. Thus, a construction and installation has been devised thatwill forestall substantially any unauthorized attempt to alter theignition system. Much time is involved, and the problem becomes sodifficult for one not possessed of the secrets of the procedure, that anunauthorized person will give up the attempt in a very short time andbefore accomplishing any satisfactory result.

One means illustrative of the securing connection between the ignitioncoil and the lock-switch assembly is shown in Fig. 4, where the coilassembly 25 comprises a can 26 enclosing the usual windings and closedat one end by an insulator or coil base 33 providing a terminal 4|, allas is well known to those experienced in the art.

The can 26, or casing as it is sometimes called, has provisions, hereincluding the circumferential rib l2 rolled into the body of the can soas to engage one side of the coil base 33, thereby securing the coilbase rigidly in position near one end of the casing so as to divide thecasing into what may be called a coil compartment, and a terminalcompartment or chamber :15. The can 26 is extended sufiiciently beyondthe partition 01' coil base to form the side walls of the terminalcompartment, and this extension of the case which will be referred tobroadly as is notched appropriately to receive the cover or closureassembly I5.

The cover assembly I5 is designedly fashioned to cooperate with the coilcase in forming a spring lock retaining means between the two, so thatunion of the two assemblies may be accomplished by telescopic movementof the two assemblies, or as it may be more definitely stated, bysequential telescopic movement and partial relative rotation. It hasbeen earlier stated that the armor I 9 enclosing the insulated conductorII is nondemountably connected to the cover assembly I5, and this isaccomplished as shown in the illustrated embodiment, by providing aferrule-like member that may be Welded or brazed to the end of the armorI0, and peenecl over or riveted after passing through the side wall 56of a cuplike member 5! providing the essential part of the coverassembly I5. Secured within the cup 51 there are latch provisions,including bayonet portions or extensions I60, and a spring tongue I6Ithat may cooperate with complementary portions on the coil case forholding the parts l5 and 25 together after the stated sequentialmovements.

Can extension 45 is notched at diametric points as at I41 and I48, and aseparate retainer ring I46 is placed within the can extension 46 whereit is pressed against the coil base 33 urging the same against the rib42 of the can, while the terminating edge of the can extension 46 isturned over the edge of the ring I46 to secure the same in placesubstantially as indicated at I 46a. The ring is likewise provided withan enlarged aperture I63 that provides a shoulder portion I64 acting asa detent or latch recess for a spring tongue I6I. Making for betterengagement between the retainer ring and the coil base 33, the ring isprovided with extended portions I65 defiected toward the axis of theassembly so as to present an increased amount of engagement with theinsulator 33. The retainer ring I46 provides the retaining portions I49and I50 usually recognized as bayonet slots, and they are so situated asto coincide with the notches I 4'! and I48 respectively in the canextension 46 when the same is assembled in place.

With assembly units constructed according to the foregoing disclosure,provision is made for releasably locking the cover assembly to the coilassembly 25, so that the unauthorized agent will have considerabledifiiculty in, if not be prevented from, parting the assemblies. Yet,one having information as to the proper procedure can, when not underthe urgency of very limited period of time, successfully accomplish theparting of the assemblies without injury to either part.

There has been given a detailed description of one means for effecting asecuring relation between the oil unit and the lock switch unit, thatincorporates a spring latch automatically operable upon completion ofthe sequential movement to forcibly retain the contributing parts incoupled relation. However, the improvement comprehends lock-switch coilswith other forms of securing means, either with or without latch means,which cannot be uncoupled or separated unless at least one of thecontributing elements is removed from the support. One such organizationis a simple bayonet type union between the cap l5 and the coil unit thatrequires substantial relative rotative movement of the parts,

for example in the order of thirty to sixty degrees In making aninstallation, and before uniting the cover assembly with the coilassembly, the lock-switch with its attached armor and cover assembly isto be mounted in the desired or provided position substantially asshown. Then, the terminal clip I2 is passed over and secured in place tothe coil terminal 4| by the usual nut. This having been completed thetelescopic engagement of the cover assembly with the coil assembly isaccomplished, and the parts I5 and 25 rotated relative to one another toaccomplish the securing relation.

In instances where the securing relation includes a latch or look, thepartial relative rotation L between the cover assembly and the coilassembly will cause the latch to move into the latch recess and engage ashoulder, which will prevent reverse sequential movement, by which theassemblies might be parted. In those instances where a latch is notused, the partial relative rotation of the parts l5 and 25 will securethe parts against separation until an equal reverse relative rotation iseffected. The securing connection being established, the coil assemblymay then be mounted as suggested in Fig. 3.

The coil is then mounted on its support I6 so that the armor I0 isstretched relatively taut between the switch 5 and the coil 25, or fromend to end, in which relation it is secured by the screw devices l8'through the bracket l1 and into the support IE, or bulk head I9. Lockwashers and nuts where needed will make removal more difficult, andinsure a non-rattle connection. In that relation the cap I5 cannot berotated relatively to the coil 25 because the armor I0 cannot be bent orstretched sufliciently to permit it. The design of the securingconnection between the lock switch unit and the coil unit is such as torequire relative rotative movement of the parts, somewhat as indicatedby Illa in Fig. 3, before the parts can be separated. That relativerotative movement cannot be accomplished so long as both of the coupledparts are mounted on their respective supports with the armor connectingthem relatively firm and taut.

When it is desired to part the assemblies, either the coil 25 or thelock switch 5 must be removed from their respective supports so as topermit bending of the armor H1 in rotating the cap I5 or rotation of thecoil 25 relative to the cap. That is because, as mounted, the armor I0cannot be bent, flexed or swayed enough to permit the necessary reverserelative rotation to release the securing means. Also, when a latchtongue is used, the mounting of this coil assembly makes separation moredifficult because a tool cannot well be inserted at the localized pointB of covercoil relation until the coil has been removed from itssupport. Therefore as respects a cover and coil case that do incorporatea latch at the end of the relative rotative movement, separation of theparts cannot be effected even after the latch is disengaged, except wheneither the coil or the lock switch is removed from its respectivesupport. When the screw devices l8 have been removed, the coil assembly25 may then be swung outwardly from its support by reason of theflexibility of the armor l0, and the cap and coil may then be separated.Repair or replacement then is easily made, and remounting of the partsin the prescribed manner insures equal protection for the future.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A protective mounting for a container adapted to be attached upon asupport, comprising in combination, a coil housing having an open end; acover having a flange to fit around the open end of the housing, saidcover and the housing end having provisions for retaining the cover onthe housing; means carried by the housing for attaching the housing tothe support, conductive means including a switch mounted at a remotepoint for controlling a circuit through the coil, a flexible armorextending substantially taut between the coil and switch, and in suchmanner as to prevent disassociation of the retaining means between thecoil end and cover until the attaching means for the coil has beenremoved from the support.

2. In an extension lock-switch coil, means for preventing unauthorizedaccess to the interior elements thereof, comprising in combination, acoil assembly providing a terminal, a cover assembly including aflexible armored conduit and a cap enclosing a conductor for theterminal, means for releasably securingthe cover assembly to the coilassembly upon relative rotation of the assemblies, said assemblies beingseparable when so secured only by reverse relative rotation, means forsupporting the coil assembly and the cover assembly in the securedrelation, means firmly supporting the remote end of the armor so as tobe relatively non-flexible and so that reverse relative movement of theassemblies cannot be accomplished for separation thereof, due to therelative inflexibility of the armor as supported, and until the coilassembly is removed from its support.

3. In an extension lock switch coil, means for preventing unauthorizedaccess to the interior elements thereof, comprising in combination, acoil assembly having a case extension surrounding a terminal, alock-switch and cover assembly including a flexible connecting armorenclosing a wire adapted to be connected to the terminal, means forreleasably securing the cover assembly to the case extension uponrelative rotation thereof, said securing means being releasable only byreverse relative movement; means for supporting the coil assembly andthe lock switch of the cover assembly in their secured relation, and sothat the connecting armor is relatively nonflexible, said armor whenthus mounted cooperating with the supporting means to prevent sufficientreverse relative movement of the assemblies for separating the same,until the coil assembly has been removed from its support.

4. An extension lock-switch coil assembly for automotive use, comprisinga switch provided with means for mounting it upon an instrument panel ofan automotive vehicle, a coil having means for mounting it upon asupport remote from the instrument panel, a terminal supported by thecoil, a cover cooperating with the coil for enclosing the terminal,means provided by the coil and cover for securing the cover to the coilhousing and requiring relative rotary movement between the coil andcover to disengage them, a

wire connecting the switch and coil terminal,

and a flexible armor tube enclosing the wire and permanently attached tothe switch case and cover, said cable being of such length that, whenthe switch and coil are mounted in position upon the automotive vehicle,the cable is substantially taut, thereby preventing relative rotarymovement between the coil and cover.

5. An extension lock-switch coil assembly for automotive use, comprisinga switch unit mounted in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, acoil mounted at a remote position in the engine compartment of thevehicle, a cover for one end of the coil, and means including bayonettype provisions for securing the cover to the coil end by partialrelative rotary movement; an armored electrical connection extendingbetween the switch and coil and including a flexible armor permanentlyjoined to the switch and cover, said armored connection being of suchlength as to just extend between the switch and coil and be so taut asto prevent relative rotation between the cover and coil so long as boththe switch and coil are secured to their respective mountings.

6. A protective mounting for an ignition coil adapted to be attached toa support, comprising in combination, a coil housing; a detachable coverto close one end of the housing, said cover and housing havingreleasable coupling provisions cooperating with each other for normallypreventing unauthorized removal of the cover from the housing, circuitconnections for the coil including a terminal enclosed by the cover,means at a remote point for controlling the circuit connections, and aflexible armor extending from the controller to the cover, and therebypreventing release of the cover and housing coupling provisions so longas both the coil and controller are mounted in their designatedpositions.

7. A protective mounting for a container adapted to be attached upon asupport, comprising in combination, a coil housing having an open end; acover having a flange to fit around the open end of the housing; saidcover and the housing end having releasable provisions for retaining thecover on the housing while united in a predetermined angular relation, alock switch remotely located for controlling circuits through the coil,an armored conduit extending between the switch and cover and adapted toprevent unauthorized removal of the cover from the housing; and abracket for attaching the container to the support, and means includingsaid bracket for supporting the housing in that relation that preventmanipulation of the releasable provision thereby preventing reverserelative rotation of the housing and cover, so long as the coil isattached to the support.

LESLIE O. PARKER.

